Jen Staskeo
is a lifesaver

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Jen Staskeo is your average 18-year-old.
The recent Archbishop Ryan High School graduate is spending her summer sitting by the pool, hanging out with friends and family, and getting ready to attend Penn State in the fall.
But amid all of her fun in the sun, Staskeo must be prepared to save a life.
It comes with her job.
The third-year lifeguard patrols the waters of the Eddington Swim Club in Northeast Philly. She watches over the pool and all of the splashing swimmers, now and then helping someone who’s in trouble.
"I haven’t had any serious saves yet," said Staskeo. "Once a young kid jumped in and forgot how to swim, so I dove in after him and pulled him out."
The danger isn’t always in the water.
"Another time a little girl had a seizure," Staskeo recalled. "She was sitting on the side of the pool with her dad, and he was holding her. I grabbed towels and called 911.
"When situations like that happen, you have to think of what they teach you in training," she continued. "You can’t panic."
To become a certified lifeguard, Staskeo had to undergo vigorous training and testing. She took a month-long class and had to swim in various tests. For example, lifeguards must be able to swim a certain number of laps consecutively. Another test requires them to swim to the bottom of the pool to retrieve a brick.
Lifeguards are instructed how to enter the water and are taught the proper ways to handle situations when people are in trouble. And, finally, they are taught proper first aid and CPR.
"The training wasn’t too tough," said Staskeo. "I’ve been swimming my entire life, so I guess I’m used to it."
Because every lifeguard must be recertified every three years, Staskeo recently underwent another round of testing.
For this natural swimmer, it was no sweat.
"It becomes common sense after you do it for a while," said Staskeo. "The most important thing is to pay attention all the time. If you’re not looking at the pool, you could miss something."
Staskeo has become comfortable with her responsibilities on the lifeguard stand. But her success in the pool evolved long before she worked at one.
The Northeast Philly resident first jumped into a pool as a little girl; it has been hard to get her out of the water ever since. She joined the Archbishop Ryan swim team and spent her high school athletic career helping the Ragdolls continue their winning streak of six consecutive Catholic League championships. During her junior year, Staskeo was named an All-Catholic swimmer.
"I loved swimming for Ryan," said Staskeo, who claimed her fourth league crown with this season’s victory. "We have always been a great swim team and it keeps me in shape. I’m going to really miss the girls on that team."
Staskeo has just a little more time to spend with her family and friends before heading to Penn State’s main campus. But there is one person she won’t have to say goodbye to.
"I’m really excited to be rooming with my best friend," she said. "I’m nervous about college, but the fact that we’re going together makes it a lot better."
Staskeo will be living in the dorms with fellow Ragdoll swimmer Maureen McKenzie. They hope to continue their swimming careers with a club team at Penn State.
"I’d like to keep swimming," said Staskeo. "I’m also hoping to get a lifeguard job at college. But who knows what will happen? I’ll see when I get there."
Staskeo wouldn’t mind returning to her lifeguard post at the swim club when she’s back home next summer.
"Working at Eddington is so great because I know everyone there," she said. "I hope I can come back and work there again next year. My family usually spends most of their days up there.
"I grew up there," she added. "The best part about this job is the people. And being able to help them is an incredible feeling." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com